Are Derby County the worst Premier League team ever?

Are Derby County the worst Premier League team ever? Probably. The Sunderland side of 2005-06 currently  hold the title after they finished with only 15 points but Derby, who have only nine points from 27 games this season, are breathing down their necks.

We will not find out until the end of the season whether Derby claim the title but in the meantime we can imagine what would happen if some of the Premier League's worst sides ever crossed paths. Remember, the losers go through to the next round.

QUARTER-FINALS

Derby 2007-08 v Watford 1999-00

How bad were Watford eight years ago? Very bad. Graham Taylor’s team were so out of their depth in the top flight that they managed to lose 5-0 away to Wimbledon and ended the season with just 24 points. They also lost 26 times but compared to Derby they are Brazil. After all they did win 6 times – that’s five more than Paul Jewell’s team have managed so far this season. Derby 2008 0 Watford 1994 2.

Sunderland 2005-06 v Bradford City 2000-01

“Will we win again?” Sunderland fans sans. Not if Mick McCarthy had stayed in charge. What a rabble. McCarthy’s collection of donkeys are – for the time being – the worst Premier League team ever. You cannot argue with 3 wins and 15 points from 38 games. Bradford City were bad but they did have Benito Carbone and they did beat Chelsea 2-0 at home. Sunderland 2006 0 Bradford 2001 2

Swindon Town 1993-04 v Watford 2006-07

What a shame that nobody told John Gorman, the former Swindon manager, that you need to stop digging if you want to get out of a hole. As it was, Swindon kept trying to play their way out of trouble and they kept conceding goals – a whopping 100 of them. Last season’s Watford side were terrible and one-dimensional but they would steamroll over Gorman’s fancy Dans. Swindon 1994 2 Watford 2007 3

Ipswich Town 1994-95 v Sunderland 2002-03

Who can forget the vintage Ipswich side of 1994/95. They conceded 93 goals, lost 25 times including a record 9-0 defeat away to Manchester United. George Burley’s team did beat United at Portman Road but they would struggle against the no-nonsense approach of a woeful Sunderland side who managed only 19 points from 38 games. Ipswich Town 1995 0 Sunderland 2003 1

SEMI-FINALS

Derby 2008 v Ipswich 1995

You only have to score one to beat Derby and Ipswich would cruise past Paul Jewell’s cloggers. Roy Carroll is apoplectic, Robbie Savage is in tears but they can do nothing as Steve Sedgeley and Co turn on the style. Derby 2008 0 Ipswich 1995 4

Sunderland 2006 v Swindon 1994

Gorman sticks to his principles and tells his players to pass and move. McCarthy sticks to his principles and tell his players to hit and hope. It’s a clash of styles and Swindon squeak through thanks to a spectacular Gary Breen own goal. Sunderland 2006 0 Swindon 1994 1

FINAL

Derby 2008 v Sunderland 2006

It’s the clash of the titans. They one they have all been waiting for. The team that managed just 15 points from 38 games two years ago against the side who have won only once this season. McCarthy is sweating buckets, Jewell is losing his rag and comedy defending is the order of the day as Roy Carroll and Kelvin Davis spend 90 minutes picking the ball out of the net. It’s 4-4. It’s heading for extra time. And then Breen turns up, scores at the right end, Sunderland win and Derby are officially the worst Premier League team ever. Sunderland 2006 5 Derby 2008 4

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Comments

[Davie]

Well done to Alan Stubbs, the constant in the two worst Premiership teams of all time.

[David V.]

I think Derby are a clear candidate for worst top-flight side ever, because they are simply ill-equipped in every way possible. It's not so much to do with the gap between the haves and have-nots, and more to do with their disgustingly lackadaisical and defeatist approach to the top flight that most other promoted sides simply did not have.

Watford in 99/00 weren't quite as bad, I thought, because they did beat Liverpool and Chelsea, played well enough v Arsenal albeit losing. Remember too that their squad was absolutely decimated apart by injuries.

Sunderland in 02/03 were easily a better side than their 19 points, but once more a lackadaisical approach to the game resulted in a shameful display. And even their 05/06 edition, woefully out of depth they were, weren't beaten by 5, 6 or 7 goals in any of their games- and did manage a point at Old Trafford.

Swindon's effort in the Premiership saw them try to play some nice football but had no clue about defending whatsoever. They did manage some noteworthy draws with Man U, Arsenal and Liverpool.

[Eddie Sanders]

I can't quite work out Dennis Higgins' logic.

If Derby were 4th, 5th or 6th, then I would agree that they were 'lucky to go up in the first place'.

However, they finished third, fully eight points clear of West Brom, whose fans are still in denial.

The problem was that they invested badly, about a month too late.

[johnny sunderland]

I reckon Derby are about the same as we were 2 yrs ago but like us the Derby fans are fantastic, best atmosphere and support from a home club i've visited all season, and they're support of over 33,000 in their postiion is brill, they're my new 2nd club!! Hope u come straight back up

[GE]

great piece, good interesting article.
and for the record its gotta be derby they are awful!

[Rob]

Nothing can beat sunderland being 3-0 down at half time through 3 own goals. Not even Derby.

[Mr. Watson]

Roy Carroll apoplectic? I'm sorry but its a bit early to judge him at Derby. Have you actually seen him play in a Derby shirt so far? (and no MOTD doesn't count) Himself and Stubbs have shown glimpses of Premiership quality that should auger well for next season.

Also why have a poll when you have pretty much decided who is the worst Premiership team to grace the league.

[mat]

i think Newcastle are the worst club in the Premiership as their recent run shows a lack of eveverything. There is no point Newcastle playing there remainder 10 games as relegation is imminent, there is no spirit in the club whatsoever. Derby can be excused coz they have been league hoping for a while Newcastle should have at least 2 premiership wins this year but they have zero.

sunderland are easily the worst team the premiership has had. i believe that if the total points they accumlated on their last two visits to the premiership then they still wouldn't have survived last time (despite 'playing' 76 games!)

[Johnny]

You've done an amazing and detailed run down. Honestly, I've forgotten much of the struggles before 2005.

Since then, I do remember watching poor Jonathan Stead, so desperate, but exasperatingly denied multiple Prem goals.

[Dennis Higgins]

Derby County were lucky to go up in the first place,thats why they are coming back down,the players they have are and never will be premiership standard,I cannot see a good player in their side,they are hopelessly outclassed it beats me why they hired that man as manager as well,he is a strong contender for a Kevin Keegan standin or follow up if I ever saw one,he is overrated as a manager,in fact along with him and Kevin Keegan you can add Mick McCarthy,Stuart Pearce,and a few others,The only surprise this season really is why Roy Hodgson took over the reins of Fulham another team with not much hope of staying up,He must have been hard up for a job ,because Roy's record is better than all the other managers I have mentioned above which makes it even more sad he has elected to try and save them from relegation,Can't see him doing it though.

[PLAngel]

having been a recent convert to PL fotoball, and this beeing my first full season immersed in the action, I must say I have never seen such horrible football played at this level. My 8 year old daughter is a better striker than any of these blokes. At least Derby doesn't cry (publicly) after a loss.